Sarcomas:
A sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in the body's supporting tissues.
Bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas are the two main types.
Ewing sarcoma usually occurs in bone. It most commonly develops in the:
pelvis bone (hips)
thigh bone (femur)
shin bone (tibia)
However, the condition can also develop in the soft tissues surrounding the
bone or joint. This type of Ewing sarcoma is known as extraosseous, which
means outside the bone.
Symptoms of Ewing sarcoma:
The symptoms of Ewing sarcoma will depend on the size of the cancer and
where it is in the body.
The main symptoms are pain in the affected area that gets progressively
worse, and swelling and tenderness.
Other possible, but less common, symptoms may include a high temperature
(fever), severe tiredness and weight loss.
In some cases of Ewing sarcoma, there may not be any symptoms at all.
However, as the tumour grows it could weaken the affected bone, increasing
the risk of fracture.
What causes Ewing sarcoma?
Like other types of bone cancer, the exact cause of Ewing sarcoma
is unknown.
As the condition tends to predominantly affect older children and teenagers,
one theory is that it may be related to fast-growing bones.
The rapid growth spurt that happens during puberty may in some way make
bone tissue more vulnerable to cancer.
Research has also found babies born with an umbilical hernia are three times
more likely to develop Ewing sarcoma.
However, the increased risk is still small as only 1 in 110,000 children with an
umbilical hernia will go on to develop the condition.
The Cancer Research UK website has more information about the risks and
causes of bone cancer.
Diagnosing Ewing sarcoma:
When you visit your GP because of bone pain, they'll ask you about your
symptoms and examine the affected area.
Your GP may refer you for an X-ray to check for anything abnormal.
If abnormalities are found, you'll be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon (a
bone specialist).
They may recommend that you have a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
scan to examine the area in closer detail.
A bone biopsy may be carried out to confirm whether cancer is present. A fine
needle is used to remove a sample of bone marrow from the affected area so
it can be examined under a microscope. It can either be carried out using
a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic.
The Cancer Research UK website has more information about tests for bone
cancer and the stages of bone cancer.
Treating Ewing sarcoma:
Like all types of cancer, the earlier Ewing sarcoma is diagnosed, the easier it
is to treat.
Ewing sarcoma is usually treated with a combination
of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy.
Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink the tumour and make it
easier to remove.
Ewing sarcoma also responds well to radiotherapy. It can be used to shrink
the tumour after chemotherapy, and before or after surgery to lower the risk of
the cancer returning.
In some cases, surgically removing Ewing's sarcoma can be difficult – for
example, if it develops in the pelvis. In this case, radiotherapy may be used as
the main treatment.
